Category: Public Info

(From left) Union County Freeholder Bruce Bergan, Community Access Unlimited Executive Director Sidney Blanchard, Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Mohamed Jalloh and Bette Jane Kowalski joined Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi in congratulating Reverend Dr. Larry Dixon, senior pastor at the Mount Teman AME Church in Elizabeth, on receiving the Citizen of the Year Award at the CAU’s 29th Annual Awards Night Celebration in Mountainside. Community Access Unlimited is a multi-faceted, human services agency that provides support services for at–risk youth and people with disabilities. For more information about CAU please visit www.caunj.org.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd R) welcomed Linden Council members Michele Yamakaitis (5th R) and Robert Sadowski (4th R) and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from Linden during a tour of Union County Police headquarters in Westfield as part of City of Linden’s 69th Annual Scouts in Government Day. They were joined by Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran (3rd R). (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Bruce Bergen (2nd R) met (from left) Teacher Chana Finver, students Andrew Fuda, Mike Reyes and Basharie Coleman and Paraprofessional Thomas McClay from the Lamberts Mill Academy in Westfield as the students learned how to properly plant and care for trees at the Williams Nursery in Westfield. The seminar for area students is operated by the Union County Shade Tree Commission annually in celebration of Arbor Day. The County of Union provides free trees to schools that have applied for them. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Richard Lear of Plainfield in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of his work entitled “Just Flowers” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until June 13. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“We are pleased to have Mr. Lear’s beautiful photos on display,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “The exhibit demonstrates his mastery of close-up floral photography.”

Richard Lear’s interest in all things creative has led him on a varied career path. After earning a BFA in vocal performance from the University of Arkansas, he was an actor in musical theater and plays in New York and was a finalist twice in Metropolitan Opera auditions. But he was forced to vacate his apartment after the World Trade Center disaster in 2001 and that made him realize that life was too precious to waste even one minute.

Mr. Lear moved to New Jersey and got his SCUBA certification. Turning his passion for diving into an annual trip to destinations all over the globe has allowed him to pursue his interest in photography and brought him back to acting. When Verizon FIOS saw his photographic work they hired him for a commercial and print ad incorporating many of his flower images.

Richard Lear’s recent solo exhibits include: (2013) “Just Flowers,” River Vale Country Club, River Vale, NJ; “The Flowers of Peony’s Envy,” Peony’s Envy, Bernardsville; and (2012) “Objects of Desire/Flowers of the World,” Drake House Museum, Plainfield. To see his images, visit www.richardlearphotography.com.

“Growing up in the Ozark National Forest made me aware of the beauty that surrounds us all on a daily basis,” Lear said.  “I’ve found beauty as well as abstraction from New Jersey to Fiji. The flower is one of nature’s most perfect and unique gifts and it makes the ideal subject.”

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl St., Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

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Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (C) joined Kean University students Kahul Patel and Sandra Quintero in the cleanup of Elizabeth River Parkway in Union during on Earth Day. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in connection with Union County College, are continuing their series of information sessions on free job training in the healthcare industry this coming Tuesday, April 23rd, Wednesday, April 24th and Thursday, April 25th.

“Because of the high volume of interest in the Union County Choices program, we have decided to add additional information sessions to our schedule” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “I encourage those with an interest in healthcare to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Union County Choices program, which is one of Carter’s initiatives as Chairman, is geared towards providing a range of skills and sector training to eligible job seekers in Union County’s priority economic development sectors.

The information sessions provide introductory information on free job training offered for Patient Care Technician and Medical Office Assistant; programs which are scheduled to begin June, 2013.

• The information sessions will take place at the following locations:Tuesday, April 23rd at 6:00 p.m. – Plainfield Library 800 Park Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060
• Wednesday, April 24th at 6:00 p.m. – Union County College, Kellogg Building 40 West Jersey Street, Elizabeth, NJ, 07202-2314
• Thursday, April 25th at 2:00 p.m. –  Union County College, Kellogg Building 40 West Jersey Street, Elizabeth, NJ, 07202-2314

Sessions are free of charge to attend, and walk-ins are welcome although pre-registration is preferred. To register, or for more information on the Union County Choices program, please contact Gina Tuesta atgtuesta@ucnj.org. For registration purposes, please include your name, email address, and preferred session date.

In addition to attending the information session, to be considered for the Union County Choices program candidates must meet have a high school diploma or GED, TABE 8th Grade, be WIA eligible and complete a criminal background check prior to the start of the training program.

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County – In wake of Monday’s Boston Marathon tragedy, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders urges residents to be on alert for new and recycled internet scams that use the event as a means to disseminate malware and conduct financial fraud.

“When tragedies strike, we always want to make our best effort to stay informed, reach out, and give support,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter, “however, we are urging the public to use caution before visiting websites and clicking links related to the Boston Marathon bombing, and are asking people be vigilant to whom they are making donations.”

According to the Center for Internet Security, watch groups and cyber security experts have already identified multiple fake domains/websites and charity efforts taking advantage of the Boston Marathon bombing; and based on previous tragedies, more scams will follow in the coming days.

The following guidelines have been suggested for analyzing websites pertaining to the event, and those soliciting donations:

• Be cautious of emails/websites that claim to provide information because they may contain viruses.

• Do not open unsolicited (spam) emails, or click on the links/attachments contained in those messages.

• Never reveal personal or financial information in email.

• Do not go to untrusted or unfamiliar websites to view the event or information regarding it.

• Never send sensitive information over the Internet before checking a website’s security and confirming its legitimacy. Malicious websites may look identical to a legitimate site, but the URL may use a variation in spelling or a different domain (e.g., .com vs. .net)

For further information on cyber threats or internet security, visit the Center for Internet Security at www.CISecurity.org.

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – The popular Union County Means Business (UCMB) free breakfast networking series continues on Wednesday, April 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with a session titled “Business Development Opportunities,” at Snuffy’s Pantagis Renaissance, 250 Park Avenue in Scotch Plains.

“We’ve designed this session to help owners and managers get their businesses on firm footing, with reliable information and guidance from top professionals in their field,” said Christopher Hudak, Vice Chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

UCMB is an initiative of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with leading members of the business, non-profit, academic and government sectors.

Now in its second year, UCMB has grown to include a number of new programs including a full-day “Union County Women Mean Business” event scheduled for Wednesday, June 19 at the new Clubhouse in Union County’s Galloping Hill golf course in Kenilworth.

The April 24 session at Pantagis Renaissance will feature three breakout sessions on topics of particular interest to the business community:

• The Price is Right: The How To’s of Pricing Your Products and Services.
• Quickbooks 101.
• Financing Your Small Business.

Admission is free but seating is limited and pre-registration is required by visiting ucnj.org/ucmeansbusiness, or call the County Manager’s office at 908-527-4200.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal invite families with children of all ages and adults alike to celebrate wildlife and embrace environmental conservation at an exciting daylong event at  Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Sunday, April 28.

The annual “Wild Earth Fest” at Trailside will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is $4 per person; children 6 years and younger are free. The first 400 people to be admitted will receive free tree seedlings.

“Young children and nature lovers of all ages will have a field day at Trailside Nature and Science Center while they learn about the wildlife all around us,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Special programs will include music and audience participation as they encourage everyone to appreciate all living things.”

Earthcapades will perform “Planetary Circus” at 12 noon and 1:30 p.m. This entertaining and engaging presentation will teach ecology and earth science while educating about conserving natural resources, eliminating pollution and reducing waste. Earthcapades combines circus skills, music, storytelling, comedy and audience participation to inspire people to celebrate, respect and protect planet Earth.

At 3 p.m., the wonders of the natural world are within reach during “A Touch of Nature.” This program will introduce the audience to the world of animals, from the ordinary to the exotic. While blending excitement and surprise with understanding, the audience will have an opportunity to meet a variety of live animals, including birds, insects and reptiles.

Glenn “Wreckin Ball” Waldeck will delight the audience on a musical journey that touches on an array of topics and encourages participation through singing, dancing and other antics. His songs have been heard on NBC, PBS, CNN and the Discovery Channel.

Ongoing activities include Vinnie Reo and his wolves from Wolf Visions, who will dispel the myths of the “Big Bad Wolf” and explain their role in keeping a balanced ecosystem. Attendees also can meet a Trailside reptile every hour beginning at 11:45 a.m. Wild Earth Fest will offer ongoing Eco-Art activities, free face-painting and Recycling Olympics.

Refreshments and wildlife-related art and gifts will be available for purchase.

Winners of the Environmental Hero Awards and the Wildlife Photography Contest will be honored at 4:45 p.m.

For more information about “Wild Earth Fest” or any other upcoming programs or events at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich (L), Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and Union County Surrogate James LaCorte congratulate the winners of the 2013 “My County” poster contest sponsored by the Union County Constitutional Officers. The top winners of the contest, which is open only to fourth-graders, are (from 2nd left): Juliette Gringeri (1st place) from the Franklin School in Summit, Rachel Mack (2nd place) from the St. Bartholomew Academy in Scotch Plains, Amanda Beckley (3rd place) from St. Michael’s Elementary School in Cranford and Shannon Griffith (4th place) from St. John the Apostle Elementary School in Clark. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)